Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan Tour | 7

Tour itinerary: Uzbekistan – Turkmenistan

Season: all the year around

Days: 12 | Nights: 11

12-day tour is a great option for family or group trip around the historical cities of Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Travelers will have a life-memorable trip to Darvaza gas crater, visit the horse stable with the most beautiful horses Ahal-teke, white - marbled Ashgabat and ancient Merv, explore the world-famous sights in Khiva - Ichan Kala, stunning Bukhara, ancient Samarkand and modern Tashkent.

Day 1

Tashkent

Flight to Tashkent, the biggest city in Central Asia with 2.5 million population.

Arrival in Tashkent International Airport named after Islam Karimov, first President of Uzbekistan.

Migration formalities usually take 20 min to 60 min: visa/passport control and baggage claim. Come out of the terminal and meet the staff holding a sign “ANUR TOUR” or with your name on it.

Transfer to the hotel. As Tashkent airport not far from the city center, the transfer will not take a long time (20 – 40 minutes depending on the hotel location). Arrival in hotel. Check-in.

You will have time to discuss the tour details with tour manager.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2

Tashkent – Urgench – Khiva

Breakfast at the hotel.

06:00 Transfer to the local airport.

07:25 Flight Tashkent-Urgench HY 51.

08:55 Arrival in Urgench.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver in the meeting zone.

Transfer to the hotel. Standard check-in after 14:00.

Start WALKING excursion in the historical part of Khiva – Ichan-kala (translated as “Inner town”). Ichan-kala - the largest Museum in the open air in Central Asia consisting of the following monuments:

- Ata-Darvaza, Kunya - Ark;

-Madrassah of Muhammad Rahim Khan;

- Madrassah of Muhammed Aminhan;

- Kalta Minor, the Palace of the Allakulihan Khan of Khiva;

- Tash Hauli, where the harem of 40 concubines was;

- Caravanserai and Tim Allakulihan;

- Pahlavan Mahmud Gates;

- Mausoleum of Seyd Allaudin;

- Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum;

- Minaret and Islam-Khoja Madrassah, Mosque and Jami Minaret.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3

Khiva – Kunya Urgench – Darvaza

Breakfast in the hotel.

08:30 Transfer to Turkmen – Uzbek Border post Shavat/Dashoguz.

Pass the border. Border passing formalities (passport and visa control might take 1 to 2 hrs depending on the customs formalities). Meet the guide and driver at Turkmen side of the border. Transfer to Kunya – Urgench.

Start sightseeing tour with visiting:

- the founder mausoleum of Sufi sects "Kubra" Nadzhimetdin Kubra (XII-XIII C);

- mausoleum of Mongolian princess Torebeg-Hanym; minaret Mamun (X-XI);

- minaret Kutlug-Timur (XII-XIV c, the highest minaret in Central Asia);

- Mausoleum Kyrkmolla (II BC - III A.D.);

- Mausoleum Arslan II (the oldest building in the city - date of its bookmark is roughly estimated by XI century).

-In the afternoon transfer to Darvaza crater and change from the asphalt road to the Karakum desert track, continue 10 km deep inside.

In 1971 geologists accidentally found an underground cavern filled with natural gas. To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to burn the gas. Geologists hoped the fire would go out in a few days but it has been burning ever since. Locals have named the cavern The Gate - Darwaza. The views are impressive, especially in sunset and night when the mild sunlight and burning crater evoke incredible and ambiguous feelings.

BBQ dinner and overnight stay in a yurt.

Day 4

Darvaza – Ashgabat

Camp- style breakfast

09:00 Transfer to Ashgabat with sightseeing en-route visiting:

- Anau mosque ruins of 15 Century and Anau culture remains of the Bronze Age in the suburban area of Ashgabat;

- Ahalteke horse stables, where you will have an opportunity to see the most beautiful horses in the world. Archeologists and historians proved that horses were handled on the territory of Turkmenistan a minimum of five thousand years ago. The specialists note that foothill lands of Kopetdag made favorable ecological conditions for the birth of strapping and wanton horses.

- A visit to Carpet Museum where more than a thousand Turkmen carpets from antique to modern are presented in a large collection.

- Sunday bazaar.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 5

Ashgabat

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Start Ashgabat city tour with visiting:

- Ertogrul Gazy Mosque with four minarets reminding the Blu Mosque of Istanbul was built in honor Ertogrul the father of the Osman I, the founder of Ottoman Empire,

- Independence Park with Monument of Independence (it's a 118m column that is considered the highest building in the country);

- Neutrality Arch - a unique composition that rotates slowly after the sun;

- National Museum, where you can see more than 166 unique expositions from Ancient Merv and Nissa.

- Turkmenbashi Mosque-Mausoleum. It is considered the biggest in Central Asia (10 thousands of people). There is a beautiful garden and fountains near the mosque.

- Ancient Nissa (18km from Ashgabad) UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the ruins of the ancient city (the date of foundation of I millennium BC - I millennium BC).

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6

Ashgabat – Mary – Merv – Bukhara

Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to the airport.
06:20 Departure for Mary by morning flight.

07:00 Arrival in Mary.

Transfer to Ancient Merv (UNESCO) visiting:

- Historical park with Sultan Sanjar Mausoleum, Mohammed bin Said Mausoleum,

- Medieval castles – “Kesk” fortresses (6-7 centuries) and others.

Return to Mary.

- Visit the History Museum of Merv region.

Transfer to the border post "Olot – Farab". Border crossing back to Uzbekistan usually takes shorter than 1 hr.
Meeting the driver at the Uzbekistan side of the border.

Transfer to Bukhara.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7

Bukhara

Breakfast in the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide at the lobby.

Start WALKING sightseeing program in Bukhara (5-6 hours):

- Ensemble Lyabi Hauz (Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa, Khanaka, Kukeldash Madrassa and the monument of Khodja Nasreddin);

- Magoki Attari Mosque is one of the oldest mosques survived in Bukhara from the time before the Mongolian invasion;

- Abdullakhan’s Tim with numerous handicraft shops of souvenirs, ceramics, national clothes and carpets;

- Caravanserai Sayfuddin (the Center of Handicraft Development of Bukhara);

- There are three trading domes or so-called covered bazaars Toki Sarrofon, Toki Telpak Furushon and Toki Zargaron preserved from the XVI century and these bazaars were the centers for trade of silk, jewelry and even for money exchange. Today as well, one can enjoy and purchase different souvenirs of a wide range, from small souvenir magnets to the famous Bukhara carpets;

- Visit Ulugbek and Abdulazizkhan Madrassas or so called Kosh (pare) madrassas opposite each other with distinctive style of facade ornamental decoration;

-Poi Kalon Square with Kalon Minaret and Mosque, Mir Arab Madrassa – the heart of Bukhara, a monumental complex impresses the imagination;

- Ark Fortress – the oldest citadel dating back to I century BC where one can feel the history of the great fortress covered in beautiful legends and myths.

Optionally can be added by request:

Visit to Samanids mausoleum (IX century), a monument of early medieval architecture.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight.

Day 8

Bukhara – Gijduvan – Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

Free time in Bukhara, morning at leisure.

Afternoon transfer to Samarkand, en- route visiting famous Gijduvan pottery workshop where visitors are welcome for a tour around the workshop and observe the process of ceramic making and painting.

The owners demonstrate the stages of making ceramics from turning the potter’s wheel to making paints from natural ingredients, decorating the ceramics in a distinctive style, drying and firing. Take a tour around the museum-hall of ceramic masterpieces with a unique collection of the ceramic items of Gijduvan and other regions of Uzbekistan.

By request, a master-class of painting ceramics, suzani embroidery, and traditional bread baking.

Continue to Samarkand.

Arrival in Samarkand in the afternoon, check-in the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9

Samarkand

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.Start sightseeing program in Samarkand (5-6 hours):

- Gur Emir Mausoleum – a burial vault of Timur the Great and his descendants is decorated with gold ornaments and is considered as one of the most significant sights of the world;

- Continue to the famous Registan Square – the heart of Samarkand and a real masterpiece of Central Asian medieval architecture, the ensemble of grandiose buildings: Ulugbek Madrassa, Madrassa Sherdor, and Madrassa Tilla Kori;

- Bibi Khanim Mosque – the biggest medieval building in the city was one of the most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world in 15th Century;

- Samarkand bazaar – Siyab.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10

Samarkand – Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide and the lobby. Samarkand countryside tour visiting

- Shahi Zinda Necropolis – unique complex of Mausoleums formed by standing on both sides of the cenotaph (an imaginary grave) of the Muslim saint Abbas ibn- Kussam;

- Mausoleum of Khoji Doniyor known also as Saint Daniel. Khoja Donier is considered as a saint patron of Samarkand, people believe that a visit to the mausoleum can bring health and success; many visitors come here to make wishes near the almond tree. A holy spring is located at the foot of the hill of the mausoleum; people claim the water has healing and miraculous properties.

- Ulugbek’s Observatory – the finest astronomical centers in the medieval world was built by order of Ulugbek, an outstanding scholar and astronomer;

- Paper factory ”Meros” in Konigil village that produces a unique paper that can be preserved for more than and is used in craftworks.

16:30 Transfer to the railway station.

17:28 Departure for Tashkent by tourist train “Afrosiab”/”Sharq”.

19:44 Arrival in Tashkent.

Come out of the terminal and meet the driver. Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the afternoon. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11

Tashkent

Breakfast at the hotel.

09:00 Meet the guide in the lobby.

Start sightseeing tour of Tashkent (5 hrs) visiting old and new parts of the city:

- Amir Temur Square founded in 1882 and originally called Konstantinovsky Square was renamed in 1994 after Amir Timur to honor the cultural and historical contribution of the great conqueror.

- Tashkent chimes, one of the major symbols of Tashkent, were brought from defeated Koenigsberg in 1945 as a sign of the great victory and eternal glory of patriots who fought in World War II.

- Theatre Square with the Opera House: State Academic Bolshoi Theatre of Uzbekistan named after Alisher Navoi built in 1947 is one of the best opera theatres of the world that performs both classical and national repertoires.

- Independence Square, the main square of Uzbekistan. There are fountains, the “Eternal flame" in honor of soldiers of World War, arch "Good and noble aspiration" crowned with birds of happiness and prosperity, road "Ok Yul" leading to Independence Monument and a monument to Happy Mother symbolizing the hope for a great future.

- Earthquake Memorial, the composition is devoted to the tragic date of earthquake in Tashkent on April 26, 1966, and is erected in the approximate place of the earthquake epicenter. Residents still come to the monument to honor those people who took a part in the reconstruction of Tashkent;

- Khast Imam Square – a religious center of the city consisting of the Barakkhan madrasah; Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum and the library of Islamic Literature with the Holy Koran Book of the VII century (original Quran Othman). Khast Imam is one of the most significant spiritual centers in Central Asia and attracts pilgrims and visitors all over the world.

Transfer to the hotel.

Resting time in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12

Tashkent

Breakfast.

Transfer to Tashkent International Airport.

Morning departure flight from Tashkent.

End of the tour.

Tour Price (PER PERSON):

Person in group	Standart	Comfort hotels
1	$3810	$4225
2-3	$2475	$2695
4-5	$2085	$2295
6-12	$1945	$2165
Single supplement	$335	$490

Book it!

- Turkmenistan Visa support (Letter of Invitation, State Registration, Travel Pass);

- Accommodation based on shared yurt in Darwaza camp; (incl. sleeping mat, sleeping bag and pillow);

- Accommodation in standard double/twin rooms;

- All transfers as per program by comfortable tourist class/SUV transport as per road conditions including transfers to-from train stations /borders;

- English speaking professional licensed local guides in Uzbekistan ( 5 standard excursions), escorting guide in Turkmenistan;

- Meals: breakfast at hotels; camp-style breakfast and BBQ dinner in Darwaza camp;

- Single entry tickets to the sites, museums, mausoleums as per program;

- Internal flights Tashkent- Urgench, Ashgabat – Mary (economy class);

- Train tickets Samarkand – Tashkent by tourist train “Afrosiab” or “Sharq” (economy class);

- Tourist tax per person.

- International flights to/from Tashkent;

- E-visa to Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan tourist visa from 85+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent) and migration tax 10+4 USD per person (subject to change; nationality dependent);

- COVID-19 PCR tests on arrival and/or departure at Turkmen land border (price subject to change);

- Photo/video fees (professional camera);

- Transport and guide service for free days and free time after the standard city tours; transport for walking tour in Khiva and Bukhara, guides for guideless trips;

- Meals: lunch and dinners except those specified under “Tour Price Includes”.

- Personal/travel insurance, portage, tips, personal expenses and other services not specified under “Tour Price Includes”.

The tour is published on July 25, 2024 and the rates as per program and conditions specified are actual for 180 days ( 6 month) from the date of publication.

All the rates will be subject to change if the request is after 180 days from date of publication because any changes in the seasonal tariffs for hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may cause the increase of rates.

- Any changes in the basic itinerary and service content may cause the change of the tour prices.

- If the hotels, noted in the program are fully booked or not available for the dates or in case of late / last-minute booking, the tour company reserves the right to book the other hotels of the same category and similar service as per room availability.

- Please note that during the national holidays, during the big summits, fairs, festivals, major sport and cultural events, some parts of the roads can be temporarily blocked for delegations and events as per government decrees.

- Check-in 14.00, check-out time 11.00. No early check-in/ late check-out is included unless indicated;

- Please note that the drivers do not speak English or can speak only basic English;

- Please note yurt camps, guesthouses, and homestays offer homemade/camp-style traditional meals; there are quite basic toilet and shower conditions.

- All the changes in the basic itinerary, the timing for transfers depending on the international flight departure/arrival time are to be discussed and pre-agreed;

- Please note that the train trip/s can be replaced for transfer/s by car depending on train tickets availability and trains schedule;

- After the date of publication, any changes in the hotels, air/train ticket prices, tax increase, and exchange rate fluctuation may influence the tour prices;

- Anur Tour is not responsible for the force majeure occasions (weather conditions during the tour, repairing-reconstructing works at some parts of roads, government restrictions).

ACCOMMODATION

CITY	STANDARD	COMFORT
TASHKENT	Milan/ Marwa/ Gabrielle	Inspira-S / Ichan Qala / Ateca / Mirzo Boutique
KHIVA	Minor Boutique/ Malika Kheyvak	Zarafshon Boutique/ Erkin Palace/ Asia Khiva
DARWAZA	Yurt camp
ASHGABAT	Ak Altyn	Sport
BUKHARA	An-Nur/ Malika Bukhara/ Devon Begi / Devon/ Safiya
SAMARKAND	Malika Prime/ Zilol Baxt/ Shaxzoda Elite	Dilimah / East Star/ Kosh Hovuz/ Emirhan
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